Last Updated on December 10, 2024
It’s been my family’s tradition for many years to stay in Celebration the night before we head to Walt Disney World on our yearly vacation there. We love the small-town feel of bunking at the Celebration Hotel, a lakeside boutique venue that’s part of Marriott’s distinguished Autograph Collection of hotels. It’s only a 10-minute drive to the magic of the Disney parks.
Everything is within walking distance from the hotel including charming shops and dining destinations. Since we’ve been “celebrating” this tradition for several years, we’re familiar with the restaurants, and happy to share our favorites.
Columbia Restaurant
If you only have time to dine in one restaurant in Celebration, it should be Columbia. As Florida’s oldest restaurant, the first of its seven locations was opened in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida in 1905, the dream of Spanish Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr.
Though the restaurant now touts multiple locations, each has its own special charm, and nothing about Columbia Restaurant feels anything like a chain. Today, the restaurant is still family owned and operated by fifth generationers, many who’ve worked at the eatery since childhood.
Celebration’s location overlooks a picturesque lake and offers classic elegance in a Mediterranean-style setting. Here, diners at lunch or dinner enjoy fine Spanish/Cuban cuisine and outstanding service.
Tapas are the specialty of this restaurant though guests can also choose from Cuban and Spanish main entrees from the land and sea. No matter which you select, make sure to start with Columbia’s original “1905” salad, tossed tableside with crisp iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Parmesan cheese with the famous garlic dressing. You won’t regret it!
Other favorites include Champiñones Rellenos, baked silver dollar mushrooms stuffed with baby spinach, artichoke, garlic and Romano cheese and Scallops Casimiro, baked in a clay casserole. Do save room for one of Columbia Restaurant’s desserts. We shared the flan, a family recipe dating back to 1935 that was utterly mouthwatering.
Reggiano’s of Celebration
This another one of our favorite Celebration restaurants as the all-day menu, décor and service are impressive.
My hubby enjoyed a lovely antipasto lunchtime meal accompanied by a bottle of lovely Italian Pino Grigio – ideal for a warm, sunny central Florida afternoon.
The freshness of the Burrata Caprese was appreciated, with its Flor Di Latte mozzarella, multi-colored heirloom cherry tomatoes and basil-infused extra virgin olive oil with crispy Sciacchitano bread. Along with Pulpo Grigilato, a wood-fired grilled octopus with fingerling potatoes, charred leek and Capocollo vinaigrette, toasted pistachio and a lemon aioli, the two dishes were plenty to savor and share.
Other menu items include salads, pizza, pasta, seafood and meat dishes and of course, classic Italian desserts.
Lakeside Bar & Grill
We love dining on the picturesque lakeside terrace at Celebration Hotel’s signature restaurant, though guests may also choose to dine indoors in the beautifully- appointed area. Open for daily brunch and dinner, our last brunch experience here was amazing and included in our hotel rate, though non-hotel guests are welcome to dine here as well.
The elegant, casual dining experience celebrates American fare in a Florida-chic atmosphere. The Bohemian Brunch includes healthy starts, grill and griddle options and brunch classics. Guests may also add bottomless mimosas, bottomless bloody mary’s or other breakfast cocktails to their order.
Dinner choices include shareables, soups, salads, sandwiches and main entrees from the land and local Florida waters.
Celebration Town Tavern
Every town needs a place to gather, drink, dine, eat pub food, watch sports on big screens, cheer for their teams and celebrate community in a fun and festive social hub.
This New-England inspired eatery opened by a Boston family features an impressively expansive menu of “startahs,” salads, “wicked good soups,” burgers, sandwiches, Boston favorites and other options from the sea and land. And you’ll find 99 beers to choose from.
Needless to say, there’s something for everyone dining here which makes this tavern extremely popular with the locals and visitors.
Some of our family favorites include chicken wings and potato skins as starters, lobster rolls, lobster pot pie, and fish n’ chips. Honestly, we’ve never had anything here we didn’t love, which is why we come back time and again.
Downtown Diner Celebration
If you’re into throwback dining venues, you’ll enjoy a visit to Downtown Diner. Family owned and operated with deep Celebration roots, the restaurant was warmly welcomed to the Celebration foodie eateries in 2021.
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this revival of the diner era serves large meal portions, many shareable to say the least. If you’re here for breakfast, try the apple cinnamon or Berry Dutch Baby, a large baked pancake with German origins. If you’re not into a sweet start to your morning, there are many other breakfast options to choose from.
For those coming lunch or dinner, at least one in your party should order the Monte Cristo, a French toast with ham, turkey, Swiss and American cheese, battered, fried and served with a mixed berry sauce. Other Southern favorites include the shrimp ‘n’ grits, smothered chicken and patty melt, though there are so many other tantalizing treats as well.
Save room for a diner dessert which can include the pie of the week, floats, milkshakes and sundaes. This is a diner after all.
